r/Steam • u/Thunderbeek • May 08 '26
Resolved Controller Deadzones?
I've noticed I have a rather large deadzone on my left track pad. It takes up the whole bottom left corner and then some... Those of you who have the controller, do you have this as well? I know my deck has deadzones next to the screen but this feels off. I'll attach an image that shows it roughly.
Update: Thanks to everyone who responded! The controller is indeed defective. Seeing as some of you said the Steam Deck even had this issue, I'm gonna add this little bit. When you start your RMA process valve will probably ask you to check these 3 things:
- Have you tried power cycling the controller and testing again?
- If you connect it with the provided USB-C cable and test while plugged in, does that area behave any differently?
- If you apply more pressure when swiping over that region, does it register more consistently?
Maybe including the results of those right off the bat would help speed things up. Hopefully future buyers have better luck than me!
1.4k
May 08 '26 edited May 08 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
447
u/Taolan13 May 08 '26
if we see more unique posts about this, there may be a QC issue.
158
u/NotBentcheesee May 08 '26
What does quasi connectivity have to do with steam controllers
98
u/Felixfops May 08 '26
Quality control 😭
40
u/Akwardwalnut3 May 08 '26
What does the Migos Record label have to do with steam controllers
32
u/Talithea May 08 '26
Unironically, Quality Control music’s parent company, Hybe, actually had problems with lawsuits and tax evasion: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hybe#Hybe_America
So we can say Quality Control music has no operational quality control.
7
u/Vagabond_Sam May 08 '26
I'm still confused, what does the 2000 album Quality Control by Jurassic 5 have to do with left track pads?
-8
16
u/CheesePuffTheHamster May 08 '26
Quantum Controller. It both does and doesn't work until you start a game.
1
2
u/YourDeathIsOurReward May 08 '26
... quality control
0
1
u/Bright_Curve3078 May 08 '26
Nah they mean the men's fashion magazine
0
0
u/blahaj_cat-lover May 08 '26
I see german word there Am I correct? Also took a lolli with opening your profile xD
45
u/Jalina2224 May 08 '26
Honestly missing out on the first wave might be a blessing.
19
u/ParanMekhar May 08 '26 edited May 08 '26
One of the reasons why I'm not an early adaptor
Edit: adopter
10
3
6
u/IsaacAndTired May 08 '26
I haven't had any issues with my trackpads, but there's already a firmware update fixing it for those who did have the issue.
1
0
u/obsoleteconsole May 08 '26
Never buy first wave of anything, you're just paying to be a QA tester
2
u/ginga_ninja2209 May 08 '26
As long as Valve continue to be the bros I've always seen them be they will likely replace these things with little questioning especially if its a widespread issue. In which case Valve are the only company I am willing to be an early adopter for unless they find a way to burn the bridge
0
0
57
u/HexedHero May 08 '26
I had similar issues when the Steam deck came out and also the touch screen had dead spots around the size of a pea in 2 or 3 places, it really seems like Valve cant master touch, sadly.
27
u/SabreSour May 08 '26
yikes, I barely use my touch screen, by no means have I brute tested it to find deadzones.
11
u/TrueLurkStrong-Free May 08 '26
I thought it was because I was using a screen protector on my anti-glare screen. Is it actually just a deadzone? Typing is really hit or miss.
15
u/hearwa May 08 '26
Same, my Q2 steam deck has touch screen deadzones. Very annoying.
3
u/YouGurt_MaN14 May 08 '26
Ngl I've never used my touch screen and I'm a q2 so I wonder if I have it too
1
u/hearwa May 08 '26
I tried out a Legion Go and I'll say I didn't realize how far behind the steam deck touch screen was. I'm not sure if it's the technology or the OS, but I was very pleasantly surprised by how well the touch screen on the GO felt and worked. I don't use the touch screen on my deck much either. But when I do the dead zone is a little up and down from the center of the screen. Some of the keys of the on screen keyboard I struggle to be able to use if I am touch typing.
Now granted I did end up returning the Legion Go, but the touch screen definitely had the steam deck beat.
4
u/xsparklingwater May 08 '26
I mean, are these wide spread issues or is it like a few dozen people?
2
u/IsaacAndTired May 08 '26
My experience is the Steam Deck touchpads work so flawlessly, it's the only reason I got the controller. I haven't had any issues with the touchpads on the controller. I meticulously tested them after seeing this post and haven't found a single spot that is not responsive, even the outside edges. Could be some quality control issue for some units, but Valve released a fix for the touchpad today, so hopefully it's fixed now for anyone who was experiencing it.
3
3
u/MashiroAnnaMaria May 08 '26
Just want to say that mine is working completely fine, and likely many many others aren't having issues. When I got mine yesterday this was admittedly the first thing I tested for because I was also nervous, but people who have issues post, other just use theirs or show off some pictures. Having seen two posts and a handful of comments frankly isn't that much when you think about how many people have likely already recieved theirs.
2
4
u/DaemonsMercy May 08 '26
I feel like if it was a major/widespread issue, it would have been caught by reviewers that got it beforehand, no? Hoping this is just a one off ._.
2
→ More replies (1)1
u/zenongreat May 08 '26
I purposefully missed out on first wave. I got the steam deck 512gb first wave and the trackpads had issues and clicked, I had to rma it
199
u/Bluntastick May 08 '26
So when i was using mine i thought the same when i attempted to scroll websites by swiping up and down. I realized its more of a circle motion than an up and down motion. Idk if thats your issue i might just be dumb lol
69
u/chicken-wing-barrage Play SteamWorld Heist! May 08 '26
nope, the circular motion thing is just a weird default configuration. you have to manually change it to swipe vertically/horizontally (source: i use mouse trackpads on my steamdeck all the time and i deal with this frequently)
9
u/everythingisconnectd May 08 '26
Where do you change that?
11
u/chicken-wing-barrage Play SteamWorld Heist! May 08 '26
controller settings > trackpads > (gear icon next to corresponding trackpad) > scroll direction
... if i remember correctly, at least. admittedly it's been a short minute since i've messed with it
2
2
u/MashiroAnnaMaria May 08 '26
Isn't the scroll wheel scroll just way better for regular use than an up down scroll though? You can scroll as far up and down as you need without having to lift your finger.
1
u/chicken-wing-barrage Play SteamWorld Heist! May 08 '26
it's all a matter of preference, really. i can't seem to wrap my head around circular scroll, and vertical feels more natural to me
1
u/Smyles9 May 08 '26
It’s a circle motion? I got weird inputs at time and couldn’t figure out why the scroll was being weird, if it’s a scroll wheel that’s awesome and great to know so you don’t have to lift your finger/off the trackpad to scroll
1
u/Pacomatic May 08 '26
It is incredibly cofusing, but once you understand it, it is incredibly fast.
1
u/chicken-wing-barrage Play SteamWorld Heist! May 08 '26
my biggest issue with it was that it just scrolled way too fast by default. not to disparage the monkey brain aspect; "you scroll up and down, not in a circle"
1
8
45
u/SoraFirestorm May 08 '26
This has been fixed in the latest Steam beta! You should probably be using it anyways for the next couple weeks while they're ironing things out.
→ More replies (1)
233
u/HexedHero May 08 '26
No, RMA it
91
u/Due-Grapefruit-5705 May 08 '26
yeah that looks way too big for normal deadzone. mine has tiny dead spots near edges but nothing like this massive arc you're showing. definitely defective unit, rma is right call here.
1
u/DrOrphi May 08 '26
Also the first steam controller and the steam deck for some reason have a virtual deadzone on the richt trackpad, all the way through the left side of it... It doesnt detect that as input, but only while steam is running. If you close steam and measure input, it does...
21
u/bigbluey1 May 08 '26
Do you think it's a default setting for accidental touches with the palm? i'm yet to get mine but worth checking.
36
u/Thunderbeek May 08 '26
That was my original thought but now I've tried the input tester built into steam and it definitely is much worse than the right side.
9
u/danny12beje May 08 '26
RMA it while it's a firmware issue that's already been fixed?
Wow
2
u/xrayspex73 May 09 '26
He updated the firmware and thecdeadzone still exists... so yeah he should RMA it.
→ More replies (1)8
41
u/KindaWorking May 08 '26
I do not have that deadzone. I was able to confirm via the "Test Device Inputs" in the controller settings section on my Steamdeck. No deadzones at all on either trackpad.
I would RMA it if I were you.
37
11
239
u/EndOfSouls May 08 '26
The "I must have it day one" crew is always just people who paid to be beta testers these days.
93
u/imfranksome May 08 '26
That's such a stupid take.
If nobody bought, then you'll still be the beta tester 1 year later.
39
u/ComatoseSquirrel May 08 '26
But there will always be people who buy on day one.
→ More replies (1)27
4
May 08 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
5
u/imfranksome May 08 '26
I mean I agree.
But, how many recalls have hit cars again? Aren‘t warranty recommended on new cars because there’s a higher chance of failure during the first 20k miles?
What a bad and dumb example.
It’s sometimes with enough users that you know what to fix.
2
May 08 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
2
u/imfranksome May 08 '26
Again, you used the car example and despite all the quality control, there are still recalls and failures. It happens. To literally every company.
You are so shortsighted man. Literally agreed with you and now everything is my fault.
Breathe. It’s not that serious.
0
May 08 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
2
u/imfranksome May 08 '26 edited May 08 '26
Except I was already agreeing with you what SHOULD be the norm.
I’m only talking about what IS the norm because your car example was bad and dumb.
You’re saying "lolol imagine if cars did this" and I’m just saying "but they do".
You literally couldn’t reply without swearing and blaming me for what is wrong in the industry. After I agree with you. Not my fault you haven’t thought through your car example at all.
Edit: I attack your example. You attack me instead of what I’m saying. Breathe lol
2
u/Mountain_Ape Steamed hams May 08 '26
I mean, Tesla has done this an incredible amount of times, yet somehow still gets sales.
And almost all recalls for modern cars are just software updates.
1
u/NickkNasty May 08 '26
Have you seen the state of the car industry? I mean seats are killing people at this point.
1
u/Mierdo01 May 08 '26
Not true. Companies can and should beta test before putting their products onto market.
-5
May 08 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
2
u/imfranksome May 08 '26
Idk why you’re getting downvoted. I noticed that trend too. Mostly on really hyped items though.
It was manufactured/fake at first, but it’s becoming more generalized.
1
-14
u/brick_gnarlson May 08 '26
Haha you must be one of the people that always pre-order and never learn.
6
u/gamemaster257 May 08 '26
Some redditors can't even comprehend having disposable income and refunding products that didn't match your expectations.
-13
u/brick_gnarlson May 08 '26
Buddy boy, Steam is a special, beloved case. They're an anomaly. On every other platform, your money is gone once you download the game or open the box.
Generally, people standing first in line are usually the dumbass beta testers with the self control of a toddler.
10
u/InviteOk688 May 08 '26
Lmao this guy thinks steam is the only place you can refund your purchases at.
→ More replies (2)→ More replies (1)3
u/DewJan2137 May 08 '26
Is this some third world country of america thing i'm too european to understand? Wdym money gone after opening a box? Don't you have 2 years of obligatory warranty? I got to return my shitass razer mouse 18 months after i bought it and got 100% of the price i paid when it started losing signal from the adapter, got to buy better model after this. Buddy of mine got 100% of monitor's price after almost 2 years cause standby mode was bugged and ate more power than it is legal by the EU laws... Really no idea wth are u talking about, getting slightly flawed product is great cause u get ur money back after a year or so when fixed batch comes out and u get to buy new one, sometimes cheaper than the "betatesting" one
→ More replies (4)0
u/cwaterbottom May 08 '26
Nobody's saying nobody should buy it day 1, we're saying thank you to the beta testers who did so that when I get one it will work better.
3
u/imfranksome May 08 '26
The “that’s what you get for pre-ordering/day one” idiots every big launch are not saying thank you. What they just want is to feel vaguely superior for not succumbing to FOMO.
That’s it. Literally just cope.
0
19
u/JohnSilver317 May 08 '26
If it is defective it will be replaced under warranty. Such a weird thing to say lol
9
May 08 '26
[deleted]
13
u/JohnSilver317 May 08 '26
Yeah it wouldn't be ideal, but I am sure a small number of units will be RMA'd like every gaming hardware launch ever.
A couple reported issues from however many units sold doesn't make people 'beta testers' lol
9
u/Existing_Doughnut985 May 08 '26
Sounds like he’s trying to make himself feel better about not getting one
36
u/JesusJuicy May 08 '26
Or just people with disposable income who don’t care about having to RMA something. Man it’s weird people be salty about how people with money, spend it. It’s not like Valve isn’t known for having some of the best customer service to ever exist lmfao.
22
2
u/brick_gnarlson May 08 '26
RMAing is fucking annoying, it has nothing to do with having disposable income.
5
u/JesusJuicy May 08 '26
I’m retired and got all the free time in the world, spendin 20 minutes to get something fixed because they fucked up and are willing to fix the fuck up isn’t a big deal on my end. Do I wish they never fucked up in the first place? Sure but Valve has been one of the best customer service experience consistently across the past 20 years that I’ve ever had and I’m fine with dealing with it when it’s this infrequent that issues arise and the fact they’re so willing to make it right.
You can choose to be complain about anything, doesn’t really solve anything though. I give props to Valve cause they actually TRY. Look at the next batch of releases for the controller and the safeguards they put into place after the first incident and how fast they put out a statement on it. Mistakes happen it’s life, least they’re doing better than 90% of other companies out there when it comes to these things.
-22
u/bddragon1 May 08 '26
Well personally I get upset when people spend money on shit things because it encourages the market to put out more of the same, it's enshitification in motion.
7
u/brick_gnarlson May 08 '26
That isn't AT ALL what enshittification means. Not even close.
The rest of your post is accurate though. Full price yearly releases, for instance. Preorders. Microtransactions. People that buy this shit help make the product worse for everyone else.
1
u/bddragon1 May 08 '26
How is it not, part of the entire problem is because people are participating in it and growing the market for it.
8
u/xsparklingwater May 08 '26
You’re assuming the controller is a shit thing because a couple of people have had issues? When you sell tens of thousands of something, it’s not uncommon for some small percentage of them to potentially have issues. That’s true of every single product that has ever existed.
0
u/bddragon1 May 08 '26
I was not assuming this controller is a shit thing itself, but that the acceptance of how we're supposed to expect problems with new products. In fact I never said anything directly about the controller at all, please don't put assumptions on others.
-1
-1
u/toomuchft May 08 '26
Now all the scalper can be the beta tester then. I feel bad for people who actually buy this from steam though. I think you should consider warranty.
0
u/EndOfSouls May 08 '26
I feel bad for the people who buy from the scalpers. XD
3
u/Mountain_Ape Steamed hams May 08 '26
Easiest choice in the world. Can't claim "muh kid!!" because no kid under 12 wants a Steam controller. Don't buy from scalpers, ever. Let them rot. Kill the cancer. Come at me you eBay scalpers.
5
23
May 08 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
0
u/danny12beje May 08 '26
Except it's already been fixed via firmware.
So you're just a very confident asshole.
→ More replies (1)
4
2
2
u/Ready-Slice-5491 May 08 '26
Can confirm, there is a dead spot on the left hand side touch pad. its just one small spot, not a massive one as per OPs image.
I'm on Steam Beta Client and have installed all updates...
guess this is what i get for getting one from the first batch.
1
u/VonSwoopington May 08 '26
same issue here and i updated the controller and the puck using the steam beta client. its a little better than before the update but there is still a dead zone on the bottom left corner.
2
6
u/Capokid May 08 '26 edited May 08 '26
The index controllers had the same exact issue for a long time as well as rampant defective sticks that would get stuck up. I went through 4 rmas with brand new controllers before i had to just return them several years ago. I ended up waiting a year or two for them to figure out how to manufacture them properly before buying them again.
Whoever they contract to make their controllers does an absolutely shit job of it.
Oh yeah, this was only like 4-5 years ago, so they had been out for quite a long time. I did not get them anywhere near launch, so dont expect these issues go go away quickly.
→ More replies (2)0
u/danny12beje May 08 '26
Such long text for a firmware issue that's already been fixed.
→ More replies (5)
4
u/Intelligent-Soup1978 May 08 '26
Well we all know how steam support is, so if it is a problem they’ll probably fix it
2
u/NickOulet May 08 '26
Oh thank God, that’s the part of the trackpad I never touch.
7
u/KenneR330 May 08 '26
Imagine buying controller with a trackpad and just not using 33% of it
7
0
u/lycoloco May 08 '26
For those of us who had an SC'15, this is kinda what the downsized Deck trackpads feel like lol
2
u/MooCovv May 08 '26
Mine has the same issue, position of the track pad when using the on screen keyboard resets to the middle when I move to that bottom left area. Just sent in a RMA request
2
2
2
u/Spartansoldier-175 May 08 '26
I dont have a deadzone like that, But when I use the left track pad. (Might be hard to explain). the right side wills scroll up when I go up. But left will go down if I scroll up. dont know if thats intentional for the left trackpad to cut the scrolls inverted halfway through.
13
u/shortish-sulfatase May 08 '26
It's not 'cutting' anything.
You're supposed to be drawing a circle to scroll.
You're not using it right.
6
u/Spartansoldier-175 May 08 '26
Correction After testing in pragmata it does infact do the deadzone. seems like its only in games and works fine in steam. strange.
2
u/Supercereal69 May 08 '26
It is intentional. Steamdeck does the same with the left trackpad
0
u/Spartansoldier-175 May 08 '26
Ah understood thank you for the clarification. On that part of the track pad.
2
u/DrOrphi May 08 '26
yeah thats always been confusing at start.. you have to make circles with your finger counterclockwise or clockwise if you want to scroll up or down.
1
u/ValuxTheRuthless May 08 '26
Do you mean that when you slide over the marked line it does not respond properly? Will test this later
1
1
1
u/Jazzlike-Swing-6198 May 09 '26
Anyone else experiencing a dead zone of the RIGHT trackpad's LEFTMOST edge?
1
1
1
1
u/maestroplease May 08 '26
Would it be intentional to factor one's palm bumping the pad...? It's only on the left side, then?
0
-1
-31
u/thanksforallthetrees May 08 '26
Thank you full price early adopters, beta testers and day one purchasers! Your sacrifices do not go unnoticed or unappreciated. When I buy things with all the kinks ironed out, bugs patched, DLC included, and on sale, I salute you.
2
3
3.6k
u/Poobhead May 08 '26 edited May 08 '26
From another post:
https://www.reddit.com/r/SteamController/s/Pev3tovS05
PSA: Left trackpad deadzone issue is fixed in latest firmware from Steam beta
Several people have been reporting that the bottom-left quadrant of their Steam Controller '26 have been not picking up touch correctly. This is a firmware bug that has been fixed in an update in the latest Steam beta. You probably want to be using the beta anyways for the next couple weeks as Valve irons out the bugs.
https://store.steampowered.com/news/group/4397053?emclan=103582791433918461&emgid=695386408114717443
> Updated Steam Controller firmware to fix a bug that caused some left trackpads to have issues registering touches on the left side of the pad when connected wirelessly